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What's the story here?

Greer’s Quay is an isolated pier located near the head of the Carlingford Lough inlet on the southwestern shore. The pier dries out completely at low water but depths are good on approach and water can always be found for landing at the head of the pier.

How to get in?

Seaward approaches are detailed in eastern Ireland's coastal overview for Strangford Lough to Dublin Bay . Navigating Carlingford Lough provides a tide timer for the entrance and sailing directions for the run-up the Lough.




Anchor according to draft off the pierhead in mud. Expect 2 metres LWS to be available about 200 metres northeast of the pierhead.




The pier dries out but 1.5 metres is always available at the very end of the pierhead. Therefore it is possible to comfortably land here at all stages of the tide. The inner area of the pier dries but has 4 metres at high water, making it useful for vessels that can take to the hard.

Why visit here?

Greer's Quay is named after the local landowner Robert Walker Greer. Greer was the local landlord who commissioned the construction of the quay in the 1840s to help develop Carlingford Lough’s fishing industry.




Soon after 'A picturesque handbook to Carlingford Bay and the watering places within its vicinity'- circa 1840, noted "A little farther on, below the Ryland Water, is a small pier, erected within the last five years, at the joint expense of the Government and of the Marquis of Anglesey. It is in a little cove and affords shelter to the fishing smacks, which seek its friendly protection from the wintry storms".




However, things did not go entirely according to plan for Robert Walker Greer. He had built the elegant mansion of Ballyoonan House upon 14 acres of the shores of Carlingford Lough and he planned to spend his retirement here. But in 1873, the Dundalk, Newry, Greenore Railway (DNGR) built a railway to provide a link between the towns in its title. These connected along the coast to the North Western Railway port at Greenore from where a ferry service operated to Holyhead. 'White's Crossing', which then became 'White's Halt', allowed railway access to the pier. But the service puffed and steamed its way right past Greer’s beautiful home. It so destroyed his peaceful abode that Greer departed for a town residence in Leeson Park, Dublin, where he passed away unexpectedly in 1876.




Ballyoonan House was later bought by the Rosminians and became St. Michael’s College. Now, it is the Tain Holiday Village water sports location. The railway thrived for half a century, but from 1923 onwards, it fell into progressive decline. As steam trains are expensive to run, the Great Northern Railway introduced cheaper 'railbuses' when it took over running the line in 1933. However, it could not arrest the decline, and the decision was made to close the railway in 1951. The route of the former DNGR railway is today the Carlingford Lough Greenway. Little has changed for stone-built Greer's Quay since it was built and remains in good condition supporting a fishing vessel and several small angling boats.




From a boating perspective, Greer's Quay offers another anchoring location from which to enjoy the Cooley Peninsula and the Lough itself. Nestled in the picturesque sequestered setting Greer’s Quay provides another good anchorage and all tide tender landings at the head of the quay. It is an ideal location to strike off for a walk along the Greenway or out through the open countryside. The small village of Omeath is a two-mile stroll.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Greer’s Quay except for a high water launching slip, and there are reportedly local moorings in the area. At Omeath, a distance of approximately two miles, there is a very small village that has a restaurant, pub, basic provisions, gas, and a petrol station.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred at Greer’s Quay.

With thanks to:

Brian McJury, Warrenpoint Harbour Master.